truant

[ troo-uhnt ]

noun

1. a student who stays away from school without permission.
2. a person who shirks or neglects a duty.

   Synonyms: malingerer, loafer, layabout, shirker, idler

adjective

1. absent from school without permission.
2. neglectful of duty or responsibility; idle.
3. of, relating to, or characteristic of a person who neglects a duty, responsibility, or required attendance.

verb (used without object)

1. to be neglectful of duty, responsibility, or attendence.

truant

/ ˈtruːənt /

noun

1. a person who is absent without leave, esp from school

adjective

1. being or relating to a truant

verb

1. intr to play truant

Derived Forms

• ˈtruancy, noun

Other Words From

• truant·ly adverb
• non·truant noun adjective
• un·truant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of truant¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English from Old French: “vagrant, beggar” from Celtic; compare Welsh truan “wretched, wretch”

Word History and Origins

Origin of truant¹

C13: from Old French: vagabond, probably of Celtic origin; compare Welsh truan miserable, Old Irish trōg wretched

Example Sentences

Q: How do you explain to your progressive supporters that as a district attorney, you championed legislation that allowed parents of chronically truant students to be prosecuted?

From Salon

Last winter, Kvistad doubled down, contacting educators in 19 King County districts and charter schools to improve communication about truant kids.

From Seattle Times

Statewide, nearly a quarter of American Indian and Alaska Native students were truant in the 2021-2022 school year, according to OSPI’s report.

From Seattle Times

Engoron’s opinion pillories Trump for his unresponsive, stream-of-consciousness testimony and seems to regard him as a truant child in need of unstinting oversight and stern punishment.

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps a rewatch of the John Hughes classic, with Matthew Broderick starring as the charming truant, will unlock the deepening mystery?

From New York Times